Rohit Sharma has one innings to save his Test career, according to Mark Waugh
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Australian cricket great Mark Waugh believes Rohit Sharma has one innings to save his career with Indian selectors facing a tough call on the skipper.
Sharma missed the first Test in Perth and since returning in Adelaide has scored just 3, 6, 10 and 3.
The captain batted at six in those first three innings', then returned to his usual opening spot at the MCG, but failed miserably.
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Sharma's tactics have also come under fire after Jasprit Bumrah filled in superbly when India won the first Test.
Rohit Sharma is under pressure to keep his spot for India. Getty
Discussing the 37-year-old's future, Waugh said Sharma is down to his last chance.
"If I was a selector now, it depends what happens in the second innings, but if he doesn't make runs in the second innings and we go to Sydney in a crucial Test match, I'd be saying 'Rohit thank you for your service, you've been a great player, but we're going to bring in Jasprit Bumrah as captain for the SCG and that's the end of your career'," he said on Fox Cricket.
"... it'd be a very tough way for Rohit Sharma to go ... his last 14 innings' he's averages 11, so the signs are there that he's past his best. It happens to all players. All great players come to an end at some stage."
Sharma came into the series in dreadful form after moving past 50 just once in his previous 10 innings.
He has scored two centuries this year though, with both tons coming against England in February and March.
Asked by Mike Hussey if Sharma needs to be asked where he's at mentally and physically, Waugh believes the answer is already there.
"I don't think you have to say 'where are you at?' You can see where he's at," he said.
"The numbers don't lie. They've had a few tough wickets to bat on previous to this tour in India but you just see even his movement in the field (is not good). Even tactically he's been off the pace as well and he gets a used by date, everyone does.
"I think they've given him that leniency already because he's been a great player for India.
"At some stage that leniency has got to stop and it stops after this Test match unless he makes runs in the second innings."
